It is time for us to launch our series of year end opinion polls on what Kate wore in 2012. We begin with the coats Kate wore last year, including what I would consider “coat dresses,” pieces that do not seem to have any garment underneath. We have broken this up into two polls, one for pieces that we hadn’t previously seen the Duchess wear, as well as those worn before. We are not including blazers or dress/suit jackets, they’ll be in a separate poll.

NEW COATS REFRESHER:

February 14 Kate journeyed to Liverpool for a number of engagements, she wore her Hobbs Celeste coat, purchased back in September of 2011.

At July 27th’s Opening Ceremonies for the London 2012 Games Kate wore a coat or coatdress by UK designer Christopher Kane. (Some think the Duchess had a dress on beneath the coat, I wouldn’t be surprised if she merely wore a thin camisole underneath, it is difficult to tell.) The bespoke silk satin piece showcased multiple gores, a covered front placket, slanted pockets, self-belt and peak lapels.

Dominic Lipinski (L) & Michael Kappeler (R)/Press Association Images

For a night at a private club in Mayfair this past October Kate was seen in an as yet unidentified black dress coat. This remains the clothing item yours truly would most like to see identified. The sleek lines and fringed placket are very appealing.

When Kate and William traveled to their namesake city of Cambridge at the end of November, we saw the Duchess in a new coat from Max Mara Studio. The style name is “Belli,” the coat features a funnel neck, hidden buttons, pick stitching and on-seam front pockets.

In June Kate wore her Barbour Ladies Defence Jacket for a walk with Lupo and her brother James.

Country Attire/Jocelyn Laidlaw Twitter

June 18th’s Garter Day ceremonies saw the repeat of a much-loved Kate style, the Alexander McQueen coat with its tiered “Samurai skirt.”

Paul Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire/Press Association Images

In August Kate wore a piece seen on several previous occasions by Danish Label DAY Birger et Mikkelsen, this time worn for the Paralympics Opening Ceremonies. The coat was first seen at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles to Harry Lopes (below left), then again in 2010 for another wedding (Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker at St. Andrews) and once more for the wedding of Zara Phillips (below center) and then July 2012 (far right).

Splash/Splash/Paralympic Sport TV

For October’s opening of St. George’s Park Kate wore a coat that technically we had seen before, it was just never identified. It’s the “Angel Fit & Flare” coat by Reiss, previously seen on Christmas Day of 2011. The coat has wide, top-stitched lapels, front pockets, multiple gores, and a concealed front fastening.

Remembrance Sunday of 2012 Kate wore the same coat seen for the solemn occasion 2011, a 2008 style by Diane von Furstenberg. The double breasted piece has distinctive soutache trim on the detachable collar and cuffs and decorative buttons.